Edge conditioning mechanism

ABSTRACT

Edges of strip material are conditioned by an apparatus including two sets of opposed roller means pivotally mounted on respective side frame members adjustable toward and away from each other on transversely extending bars. Adjustment is effected by rotation of a bar threadedly engaging the side plates. One end of the apparatus is attached to a support usually a standard coil straightener common to most operations processing coil stock. The apparatus is counterbalanced in a free-floating position between a coil of material and the machine straightening the coiled material, whereby the stock material passing through the feed guide will automatically regulate the attitude of the apparatus with respect to its feed angle and lock it in position.

ilnited States atent Brennan 1 Sept. 12, 1972 [54] EDGE CONDITIONING MECHANISM 3,400,566 9/1968 Gauer ..72/l99 3 479 852 11/1969 Conrad et al. ..72/40 72 I t F P. B 1] 1 i i m mg 3,587,275 6/1971 Brennan ..72/199 [22] Filed: Nov. 13, 1969 Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-E. M. Combs [211 App! 876336 Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson Related US. Application Data 57 ABSTRACT [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 754,231, Aug. 1

- 2 19 p 3 5 7 275 Edges oi strip material are conditioned by an apparatus including two sets of opposed roller means 52] vs. C] ..72/199 Pivotally mounted on respective Side frame members 51 Int. Cl ..B21b 31/00, B2lb 39/00 adjustable toward and away from each other on [58] Field of Search "72/40 160, 162, 164 183, versely extending bars. Adjustment is effected by rota- 6 72/199 225 226 235 237 249 tion of a bar threadedly engaging the side plates. One end of the apparatus is attached to a support usually a [56] References Cited standard coil straightener common to most operations processing coil stock. The apparatus is counter- UNITED STATES PATENTS balanced in a free-floating position between a coil of material and the machine straightening the coiled Banner material, whereby the Stock material p g through 25783? 12/1951 f et "72/249 the feed guide will automatically regulate the attitude $22 $32 of the apparatus with respect to its feed angle and lock 7 H... t t' 3,336,778 8/1967 Follrath ..72/226 1 m n 3,343,394 9/1967 Gauer et al. ..72/237 13 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 1968, now US. Pat. No. 3,587,275 and entitled Edge Rolling Mechanism.

BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to improvements in the edge conditioning apparatus of my prior invention. More particularly, the improvement in the instant invention relates to the apparatus frame, mountingmeans and width adjustment means whereby the free floating apparatus efficiently operates to insure smooth and round edges on the sides of cut coil stock.

2. Prior Art The cutting of narrow widths of coil stock from much wider stock usually leaves the narrower widths with burrs and sharp edges. In many applications of the narrow width stock these burrs and sharp edges are objectionable. Various attempts to deal with this edge condition have proven to be expensive and/or inefiective. Thus, abrading of the edges may be uneven, may remove coatings, or may cause sharp undesirable localized ridges on the stock. Prior attempts at burning off the burrs, or melting them poses more problems than it solves. Thus, there has arisen'a need for an effective and convenient edge conditioning means that is suited to handling coiled stock without any additional labor cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The disadvantages associated with the prior art methods of conditioning the edges of cut coiled stock are effectively overcome by the improved apparatus of the present invention which is expensive, conveniently operated without power, simple to adjust and easy to maintain. Positioned between an uncoiling supply of coil stock onto a device which operates on the stock my improved edge conditioning apparatus will accurately roll the edges of the stock in a one or two stage process as the coil stock passes therethrough in its usual path of travel. A wide range of stock widths are easily accepted by the quickly adjustable device and minor variations and irregularities in the width are also accommodated by the construction of the pivoted rolling means. Moreover, as the coil unwinds and changes its angle of supply, my invention will automatically move in response to these changes in the feed angle regardless of top or bottom payoff from the reel to assure the optimum operating position.

My invention comprises a material edge conditioning mechanism wherein a pair of opposed first and second forming roller means are pivotally mounted on a frame. An adjustment means cooperates with the frame members to control the distance between the roller means. A mounting means associated with the frame serves to attach the mechanism in a free floating condition to any afforded fixed support means. This free floating condition is such that the weight of the mechanism is counterbalanced by a spring provision of the mounting means. The frame includes right and left side plates, each having first and second ends. A first transverse means extends between the first ends of the side plates and a second transverse means extends between the second ends of the side plates. The right and left side plates may be substantially parallel and the first transverse means, second transverse means and the adjustment means may be substantially parallel and disposed generally at right angles to the side plates whereby the frame is a generally right angular quadrilateral. The

first and second transverse members may be rod-like members extending through the side plates in close fitting relationship to provide a very rigid frame and support for the roller means.

The adjustment means may be a rod extending through and threadedly engaging the right and left side plates so that upon rotation of the rod both side plates will slide along the first and second transverse means and thus change the distance between the roller means. One end of the adjustment rod extends beyond one of the side plates and has a handle thereon to facilitate rotation of the rod.

Each of the opposed roller means includes a pair of first and second rollers which rotate on axles affixed between upper and lower support plates. The upper and lower support plates for each pair of rollers are in turn pivotally attached to an adjacent one of the side plates at a pivot point intermediate to the first and second ends of that side plate. This pivot point may be at the central portion of the side plates and may exactly correspond with the area in which the adjustment means extends through so that even pressure will be applied to the edges of the material stock being conditioned. In this position the roller means would be generally symmetrical about a centerline extending between the pivot points of the respective side plates.

The mounting means includes a pair of clamped memberspivotally connected to the secondtransverse member between the side plates with one member on either side of the center of the second transverse member. A torsion spring-biasing means is coupled between each clamp member and the most adjacent side plate to thereby counterbalance the weight of the mechanism about the second transverse member. Each of the spring biasing means is a coil spring having one end retained against an abutment on the clamp member and the other end retained by an abutment means adjacent to the second ends of The side plates.

The first of each of the pairs of rollers is the one positioned closest to the first transverse member and the second of each of said pairs of rollers is the one positioned closest to the second transverse means so that the material passes initially between the opposed first rollers of each pair and then through the opposed second rollers of each pair. Each of the rollers of each pair has at least one peripheral groove therein differing in configuration, one from the other. While the sequential disposition of the differing configurations does not appear to be critical, the present illustrative embodiment shows the groove in the first rollers having a V- shaped configuration and the groove in the second rollers having a U-shaped configuration. In any sequence, whether the groove shapes are the same or different from one another, the edges are conditioned in two stages. Each of the rollers may have additional grooves so that changing of the grooves will produce different groove arrangements or the same groove arrangements with new or unworn grooves to accommodate other gauges.

The first transverse means may comprise a pair of substantially parallel spaced members adapted to receive the material to be conditioned therebetween. To provide ready adjustability of width between the side plates while maintaining rigidity of the frame structure, one of the parallel members is attached to one side plate and slidingly engages the second side plate while the other of the members is attached to the second side plate and slidingly engages the first side plate. These parallel members may have roller means mounted thereon and/or may be spring biased toward each other to act as pressure rollers on the material passing therebetween. With the stock material flowing between the spaced members, the mechanism will accurately follow the changing angle of feed which occurs when coiled stock material is uncoiling. In effect then, the closely spaced members prevent the stock from bowing or buckling and also function as a feed guide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the mechanism of the present invention; and,

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view taken along the line 11-" in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An edge conditioning mechanism generally indicated at is pivotally attached by mounting means 12 and 16 to a suitable support means 20 whereby the mechanism 10 may condition the edges 31, 32 of material 30 passing therethrough.

The basic structure of the mechanism 10 comprises a frame having a first side plate 41 generally parallel to a second side plate 42 and a first transverse member 51 generally parallel to a second transverse member 52. Each of the side plates 41, 42 has a first end 43, 44 respectively, and a second end 47, 48 respectively. The first transverse means 51 extends between and passes through the first ends 43, 44. Similarly, the second transverse means 52 passes through the second ends 47, 48. Each of the side plates 41, 42 can be conveniently formed of a cast material and include reinforcing enlargements at the end areas. The transverse means 51, 52 may pass through close fitting holes in the end areas so that the side plates 41, 42, although slidable along the first and second transverse means, will resist distortion of the frame and thus be rigid. In practice I have found it convenient to position the first and second side plates 41, 42 in a generally parallel relationship at substantial right angles to the first and second transverse member 51, 52 so that generally right angular quadrilateral is formed by the frame members.

The general rigidity of the frame is enhanced by the construction of the first transverse means to include a pair of substantially parallel spaced rod-like members 53, 55 as shown in FIG. 2. One of the members, as for example 53, has an end 53a attached to the first end 43 of the first side plate 41 by means of a set screw 57 and has its other end 53b slidingly passing through the first end of the second side plate 42. Likewise the rod-like member 55 has one end 55a slidably passing through the first end 43 and its second end 55b held in a fixed position in the first end 44 by a similar set screw not shown. The rod-like members 53, 55 of the first transverse means are spaced apart a distance equal to or slightly larger than the expected maximum thickness of the material 30 which will pass therethrough.

The construction of the first transverse means assures that the mechanism 10 will accurately follow the changing angle of feed which occurs as coiled stock is consumed. Moreover, the closely spaced cross-rods 53, 55 prevent the stock 30 from bowing or buckling and thereby function as a feed guide. Although not specifically illustrated, it is within the contemplation of this invention that the cross-rod members 53, 55 of the first transverse means may have rollers thereon and may be spring biased towards each other so that they act as pressure rollers. I also recognize the possibility of constructing the second transverse means similar to the first so that, where necessary, greater angles of swing may be accommodated such as might occur for example, where the stock material is fed from different rollers having different positions with respect to the mechanism 10. In this way the device of my invention may be used for many different feed supplies without making any changes.

The mounting means 12, 16 is rotatably mounted on the second transverse means 52 to allow the mechanism 10 to pivot in a vertical direction. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second transverse means 52 includes a rod 54 and a mounting bearing connection means 56, 58 that allow a pivotal connection between the rod 54, the side plates 41, 42 and the mounting means 12, 16. The connecting member 56 is affixed to the rod 54 by suitable means such as a set screw 60. As shown, the second end 47 of the side plate 41 is held between a shoulder 56a and a spring clip 62 that is received in a slot 66 on the member 56.

On the other end of the second transverse member 52 the bearing connection means 58 is connected to the rod 54 and has an end 58a extending beyond the second end 48 so that the side plate 42 may slide therealong to allow the mechanism 10 to handle various widths of material 30.

The torsion springs 70, 72 are held between the mounting means 12, 16 and the side plate second ends 47, 48 respectively. An enlarged head 56b, 58b, on the connecting means 56,58 respectively limits movement of the mounting means 12 and 16. Each of the springs 70,72 has a first end 70a, 72a extending beyond the main spring coil and held by a detachable pin 13, 17 mounted in the clamp members 12,16 respectively. A second spring end 70b, 72b is held by abutments 41a, 42a on the side plates 41 and 42 respectively. With this spring attachment construction, the torsion springs 70,72 are easily installed, replaced or adjusted.

The torsion spring 72 may extend when the mechanism 10 is adjusted to accommodate larger widths of the material 30, however, this extension has no appreciable effect on the supporting ability of the spring. An alternative of mounting the means 16 to the support 20 would allow movement of the means 16 along the support 20 to accommodate changes in width, however, this would involve an extra and separate adjustment which is avoided by the preferred embodiment.

Adjustment of the width between the generally parallel side plate members 41,42 is readily and conveniently effected by means of an adjustment means generally indicated at 80 comprising a rod 81 extending between and through the side plates 41, 42 at a point intermediate to their respective ends and preferably in the vicinity of the central portion of the side plates. The rod 81 has a first end 81a that is threaded and projects through a threaded hole 82 in the side frame member 41. Suitable locking means such as the nut 83 and the lockwasher 84 serve to secure the adjustment means 80 in position and prevent undesired movement. A second end' 81b extends through a threaded hole 85 in the second side plate 42 to thereby provide a means of moving the side plate 42 when the rod 81 is rotated. A handle 86 affixed to a portion of the first end 81a extending beyond'the side plate 41 providesa quick and convenient means of adjustment.

With the present construction of the adjustment means 80, an operator may stand at one side of the device and merely crank the handle 86 to change the width. He need not be under or above the mechanism and thus is in a safe position to make final adjustments while the stock material 30 is passing through the mechanism 10.

Two pairs of opposedfirst and second forming roller means generally indicated at 91,92 respectively, are pivotally mounted on the first and second side frames 41,42 respectively. Each of the roller means includes a first roller 93,94 respectively, and a second roller 95,96 respectively. An upper support plate 101,103 may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be positioned above each pair of rollers. A lower .support plate 102 is positioned below each pair of rollers as may be seen by the support plate 102 in FIG. 2. It should be noted that the support plates 101, 102 and 103 advantageously are above the upper and lower edges of the side plates 41,42 so that they may pivot in an unrestricted wide are.

Each of the side plates 41,42 has an enlarged portion 41b,42b in its central portion. A pivot means 105,106 extends from the top and bottom of each of the enlargements 41b, 42b respectively, to provide a solid pivot point for the roller means.

Rotation of the first and second rollers is about vertical axes 110 extending between the upper and lower support plates. The axes 110 may extend through the upper and lower support plates and be held by suitable retaining rings 112. The support plates may be of a generally rectangular construction and may be cast material. As thus constructed, the roller means 91,92 may pivot about the pivot means 105,106 on the side plates 41,42 respectively, to thereby accommodate the minor irregularities in the edges 31,32 and/or small variances in the feed angle of the strip 30. The roller means are generally symmetrical about a centerline extending between the pivot points 105,106 so that each may move freely and independently of the other. Thus, with the frame adjustable laterally of the length of the strip material 30 being conditioned, the frame is nevertheless rigid and provides a solid foundation for the roller means 91,92.

Each of the first rollers 93,94 has a pair of grooves therein as shown in FIG. 2 by the grooves 93a, 93b. Each of the grooves in the first rollers of each roller means 93,94 may be generally V-shaped in configuration while corresponding grooves in the second rollers 95,96 may have a U-shaped configuration. As the strip 30 proceeds through the first set of rollers 93,94 the burrs or edges are deformed by the V-shaped grooves, and as the material 30 passes through the second set of rollers the U-shaped grooves round off any sharp projections to give a smooth edge;

As may be seen in FIG. 2, the rollers have at least two sets of grooves thereon 93a, 93b although it may be seen that a strip would pass through only one set of grooves. l have provided multiple grooves in this arrangement so that as the grooves wear, the rollers may simply be inverted to obtain new grooves. The stored" grooves 93b, b need not be of the same configuration as the other groove or grooves on the same roller, but may be varied as suits operational design. While I have shown two grooves, it is within the contemplation of this invention that a greater or lesser number may be provided.

OPERATION In operation the apparatus 10 is mounted in a cantilevered position as shown in FIG. 1 with one end attached to a support so that the apparatus may pivot about the mounted edge. The counterbalancing means 70,72 on the mounted end holds the apparatus 10 in a free-floating positions so that very little force is required to pivot it. With the apparatus 10 in this freefloating position, the free end of a coil of stock material .30 is first threaded between the spaced bars 53 on the first end 51 of the apparatus and then positioned between the pairs'of edge forming rollers 93, 94 and 95,96 so that the edges of the stock material 30 are received in the grooves of the rollers. The conditioned end of the stock 30 is then fed into a coil stock straightening apparatus, edge of which is shown 20, which will serve to pull the stock through the rollers. As the stock 30 is pulled between the pairs of rollers 93,94 and 95,96 the edges will be conditioned initially by the grooves in the first set of opposed rollers 93,94 and secondly by the grooves in the second set of opposed rollers 95,96. As the coil of stock unwinds, the stock 30 will bear against the bars 53 and 55 to change the angle of the apparatus about its supported edge. The light pressure or force necessary to effect this change will assure rapid accommodation to these changes. Should the edges 31,32 of the stock material 30 have any irregularities, the pairs of rollers 91,92 may pivot about their respective pivot points 105,106 to process these areas also. Should a stock material 30 of a different width be required the adjustment of the apparatus is readily accomplished by rotating the handle means 86a to move the side members 41,42 toward or away from each other. The side members 41,42 slide on the crossbar members of the first and second ends 51,52 respectively.

From the above description it will be understood that I have provided an effective and convenient edge conditioning means that is suited to removing the objectionable burrs and sharp edges of cut coil stock and insuring smooth or formed edges.

those versed in the art, it should be understood that I.

wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

l. A material edge conditioning mechanism adapted to be positioned between a coil of material and a material working mechanism comprising a frame, a pair of opposed first and second forming roller means pivotally mounted on said frame, adjustment means for controlling the distance between said roller means, and mounting means associated with said frame mounting said mechanism in a counterbalanced, free-floating position between the coil of strip material and the strip material working mechanism whereby the strip material passing through the mechanism will automatically regulate the attitude of the apparatus with respect to the feed angle of the strip material with the mechanism.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said frame includes first and second side plate means each having first and second ends, a first transverse means extending between said first ends of said side plate means, a second transverse means extending between said second ends of said side plate means, each of said roller means including at least one roller support plate having a roller rotatably mounted thereon, said first roller means support plates being pivotally attached to saidfirst side plate, said second roller means support plates being pivotally attached to said second side,

plate.

3. A mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said first transverse means comprises a pair of substantially parallel spaced members adapted to receive the stock to be conditioned therebetween, one of said members being attached to said first side plate and slidingly engaging said second side plate and the other of said members being attached to said second side plate and slidingly engaging said first side plate.

4. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said adjustment means is a rod extending through and threadedly engaging said first and second side plates whereby upon rotation of said rod said side plates will move along said first and second transverse means and thereby change the distance between said roller means, said adjustment means extending beyond one of said side plates and having a handle thereon for rotation of said rod.

5. A mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said pair of first transverse members are adjustably movable toward each other to act as pressure rollers on the material passing therethrough.

6. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein each of said roller means is a pair of first and second rollers, an upper support plate being positioned above and a lower support plate being positioned below each of said pairs of rollers, an axle for each of said rollers having a bearing means in each of said support plates.

7. A mechanism according to claim 6 wherein the first of each of said pairs of rollers is closest to said first transverse member and the second of each of said pairs of rollers is closest to said second transverse means, each of said rollers having a peripheral groove therein, one of said rollers having a V-shaped groove and the other of saidr lers havin aU-s a ed r ov 8. A mater? edge co nditior iing mc an ism, comprising a frame, a pair of opposed first and second forming roller means pivotally mounted on said frame, adjustment means for controlling the distance between said roller means, and mounting means associated with said frame for mounting said mechanism, said frame in cluding first and second side plate means each having first and second ends, a first transverse means extending between said first ends of said side plate means, a second transverse means extending between said second ends of said side plate means, said first roller means support plates being pivotally attached to said first side plate, said second roller means support plates being pivotally attached to said second side plate, said mounting means including clamp means movably connected to said second transverse member between said side plates, a spring biasing means coupled between said clamp means and said side plates to thereby counterbalance said mechanism about said second transverse member.

9. A mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said spring biasing means is a coil spring having one end retained against an abutment on said clamp member and the other end retained by an abutment means adjacent said second ends of said side plates.

10. A mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said upper and lower support plates for each set of rollers is pivotally attached to an adjacent one of said side plates at a pivot point intermediate the first and second ends of said adjacent side plates, said roller means being generally symmetrical about a centerline extending between the pivot points on the respective side plates.

11. A mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said first and second side plates are substantially parallel and wherein said first transverse means, second transverse means and said adjustment means are substantially parallel and are disposed generally at right angles to said side plates whereby said frame is a generally right angular quadrilateral, said first and second transverse members extending through said side plates in close fitting relation to thereby provide a rigid frame.

12. A mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said rollers is peripherally grooved so that the edges of material passed between said rollers are conditioned in two stages.

13. A mechanism as defined in claim 12 wherein one set of said rollers is grooved with a V-shaped configuration and the other set of said rollers is grooved with a U-shaped configuration.

a: a: a: a 

1. A material edge conditioning mechanism adapted to be positioned between a coil of material and a material working mechanism comprising a frame, a pair of opposed first and second forming roller means pivotally mounted on said frame, adjustment means for controlling the distance between said roller means, and mounting means associated with said frame mounting said mechanism in a counterbalanced, free-floating position between the coil of strip material and the strip material working mechanism whereby the strip material passing through the mechanism will automatically regulate the attitude of the apparatus with respect to the feed angle of the strip material with the mechanism.
 2. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said frame includes first and second side plate means each having first and second ends, a first transverse means extending between said first ends of said side plate means, a second transverse means extending between said second ends of said side plate means, each of said roller means including at least one roller support plate having a roller rotatably mounted thereon, said first roller means support plates being pivotally attached to said first side plate, said second roller means support plates being pivotally attached to said second side plate.
 3. A mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said first transverse means comprises a pair of substantially parallel spaced members adapted to receive the stock to be conditioned therebetween, one of said members being attached to said first side plate and slidingly engaging said second side plate and the other of said members being attached to said second side plate and slidingly engaging said first side plate.
 4. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said adjustment means is a rod extending through and threadedly engaging said first and second side plates whereby upon rotation of said rod said side plates will move along said first and second transverse means and thereby change the distance between said roller means, said adjustment means extending beyond one of said side plates and having a handle thereon for rotation of said rod.
 5. A mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said pair of first transverse members are adjustably movable toward each other to act as prEssure rollers on the material passing therethrough.
 6. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein each of said roller means is a pair of first and second rollers, an upper support plate being positioned above and a lower support plate being positioned below each of said pairs of rollers, an axle for each of said rollers having a bearing means in each of said support plates.
 7. A mechanism according to claim 6 wherein the first of each of said pairs of rollers is closest to said first transverse member and the second of each of said pairs of rollers is closest to said second transverse means, each of said rollers having a peripheral groove therein, one of said rollers having a V-shaped groove and the other of said rollers having a U-shaped groove.
 8. A material edge conditioning mechanism, comprising a frame, a pair of opposed first and second forming roller means pivotally mounted on said frame, adjustment means for controlling the distance between said roller means, and mounting means associated with said frame for mounting said mechanism, said frame including first and second side plate means each having first and second ends, a first transverse means extending between said first ends of said side plate means, a second transverse means extending between said second ends of said side plate means, said first roller means support plates being pivotally attached to said first side plate, said second roller means support plates being pivotally attached to said second side plate, said mounting means including clamp means movably connected to said second transverse member between said side plates, a spring biasing means coupled between said clamp means and said side plates to thereby counterbalance said mechanism about said second transverse member.
 9. A mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said spring biasing means is a coil spring having one end retained against an abutment on said clamp member and the other end retained by an abutment means adjacent said second ends of said side plates.
 10. A mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said upper and lower support plates for each set of rollers is pivotally attached to an adjacent one of said side plates at a pivot point intermediate the first and second ends of said adjacent side plates, said roller means being generally symmetrical about a centerline extending between the pivot points on the respective side plates.
 11. A mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said first and second side plates are substantially parallel and wherein said first transverse means, second transverse means and said adjustment means are substantially parallel and are disposed generally at right angles to said side plates whereby said frame is a generally right angular quadrilateral, said first and second transverse members extending through said side plates in close fitting relation to thereby provide a rigid frame.
 12. A mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said rollers is peripherally grooved so that the edges of material passed between said rollers are conditioned in two stages.
 13. A mechanism as defined in claim 12 wherein one set of said rollers is grooved with a V-shaped configuration and the other set of said rollers is grooved with a U-shaped configuration. 